I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair [From South Pacific] - Eydie Gorme, Hammerstein, Oscar
Baubles, Bangles and Beads [From Kismet] - Eydie Gorme, Forrest, George
Johnny One Note [From Babes in Arms] - Eydie Gorme, Hart, Lorenz
Japanese version featuring a limited LP style sleeve cover. She was one of a few singers who could bring down the house, be it on the Ed Sullivan stage or in Vegas. She had the chops and still does.
Japanese version featuring a limited LP style sleeve cover. She was one of a few singers who could bring down the house, be it on the Ed Sullivan stage or in Vegas. She had the chops and still does.
"It's great to see another one of Eydie's albums re-released this way, with its mini-LP style sleeve, and of course, the great music from her earlier days. This is Eydie singing great tunes from broadway shows of the day; and her voice is in its usual glowing form. Orchestrated by long time friend and associate Don Costa, every selection is spectacular. The album begins with a carefree swinger "I DON'T CARE", followed by my personal favorite, "YOU'RE JUST IN LOVE" where Eydie "duets" with herself. (Kay Starr's version is also a fine rendition of this Irving Berlin classic) And speaking of Irving Berlin, this album has Eydie treading through "MermanLand", by covering, (in addition to the aforementioned "YOU'RE JUST IN LOVE") "YOU CAN'T GET A MAN WITH A GUN" from Ethel Merman's immortal "Annie Get Your Gun". She never once tries to dethrone or upstage the original, but rather gives us her own take on these songs that will forever be associated with Merman. Eydie also gives us a few ballads in this package, Rodgers' & Hammerstein's lovely "HELLO YOUNG LOVERS", and a slow reading of "BAUBLES BANGLES AND BEADS" (almost a little too slow). Other highlights include a romp through two more tunes by Richard Rodgers (one with Hammerstein, the other with the immortal Lorenz Hart) "I CAN'T SAY NO" (from Oklahoma!) and "JOHNNY ONE NOTE". An attractive package, despite the somewhat high price, and well worth the wait for fans and collectors of classic music by the great artists. We really need more releases like this out there!"
Eydie Proves that She is a Showstopper!
R. Rosen | Petaluma, CA USA | 03/15/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The vocal power and magic of Gorme is clearly demonstrated in this offering. Whether it is her sassy and sexy treatment of "Thou Swell" and "I'm Always True to You in My Fashion," or her tender and heartfelt treatments of "My Funny Valentine" (probably the best vocal version of this classic - ever) or "Hello Young Lovers," Eydie's incredible pipes and ability to translate the very meaning of a lyric is evident. Don Costa's orchestrations are of course top notch as well. Eydie proves that she is more than an excellent and underrated "singer's singer," she shines and glimmers as an entertainer and interpreter of some of the best songs that ever came out of broadway."
SHOWSTARTERS
Jim Holtz | Madison, Wi United States | 09/15/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"... When I 1st paid attention to Eydie Gorme, she was on the Jimmy Dean Show. He said that everything that could be said has been said about Eydie Gorme's voice. Therefore, just enjoy it. I've done that for 37 years! Hers is the perfect popular voice for these masterpieces. It has range, character, vibrancy, humor, pathos, etc.; all which is needed to perfectly convey America's highest quality music. 50% of the songs are Richard Rodgers, & whether Hammerstein or Hart collaborations, they are filled with original pop singing & wide vocal ranging. Who else but our Eydie can do both to Mr. Rodgers' songs? While Ella sturggled valiantly to stay on key for JOHNNY ONE NOTE, Eydie did the song as if one is just rooting the favored team to victory & we the listener get those spoils. The other 5 Rodgers' songs are also perfect enjoyments. We are priviledged with I'M GONNA WASH THAT MAN RIGHT OUT OF MY HAIR, & I CAN'T SAY NO. These 2 are hardly let out of their respective shows. Here we get the best pop versions possible although no other singers did them. Did a silly fear prevail with arrangers Billy May & Nelson Riddle that their better selling vocalists wouldn't sell if these 2 songs were done. Eydie just victoriously gives us spur of the moment joy the 2 Rodgers & Hammerstein classics deserve. Why didn't Ms. Gorme do Rodgers & Hammerstein Songbooks when Ms. Fitzgerald couldn't? Conversly, Rodgers & Hart's widely done MY FUNNY VALENTINE comes out as the best & most original. Eydie's voice & drama are the perfect marriage of joy & ironic admiration. What would Valentine's day have been without Eydie singing this on Johnny Carson's Tongiht Show. Most of you are too young to remember but it was a highlight of that day. The 6 non-Rodgers tunes are joyfully artistic. Only 2 songs in this package are delightfully dramatic: Rodgers & Hart's Hello Young Lovers &, of course, Valentine. She did a later companion lp, Sound of Music & Other Brodaway Hits, which will she will release on cd. I hope I can tell you all how great that is ... For now bite the bullet & buy one of the best traditional pop albums of all time."
The songs are show starters!
Jim Holtz | Madison, Wi United States | 09/22/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"... When these gems are sung by Eydie, the old adrenlin starts pumping. Most of the broadway songs on this cd are the type that didn't get put into show tune tributes. These basically are novelty and/or character songs that advance the musical's plot. It's great that Streisand isn't the only singer that can belt out this type; so, can Gorme. Really My Funny Valentine & Hello Young Lovers are the 2 cd exceptions of having lives apart from their shows. With Valentine, Eydie has the best version slowly expresing her love for the oaf & ending with an impassioned high note. Babs goes through the song too quickly to get to her Wagnerian end. Eydie's version is only lacking in that she doesn't repeat the bridge, leaving that to the orchestra. There are 6 Richard Rodgers melodies in this package including Valentine & Lovers. It's a pity that Eydie didn't do a Rodgers & Hammerstein Songbook. Usually hip pop singers couldn't handle it; but, of course, our Eydie's an exception. Heck Ella didn't handle Rogers & Hart's Johnny One Note well, having to strain her voice. Here the song is effortless for Eydie. For whatever reason Miss Vibrancy didn't go the songbook route although she would have stolen the luster from Ella. On Showstoppers we've 3 Rodgers & Hart, & 3 Rodgers & Hammerstein. On her reissued Sound of Music & Other Broadway Hits, E.G. did 5 Rodgers & Hammerstein or 5/21 of a songbook; the closest we'll ever get. So what we have is another Eydie materpeice. Again bite the financial bullet so you can rhapodize on Eydie's positive force in a time where we all have the need."